England V Italy

craggles

There's an awful lot of "I feel that..." in this thread, with no one really saying how or why either team may overcome the other.

Tactically I believe Italy playing a 3-5-2 would have put them at a massive advantage in terms of midfield control and nullifying England's crossing ability to an extent by forcing them to deal with Italy's wing backs, unfortunately with Chiellini injured I don't think Prandelli feels safe playing with 3 at the back and will therefore revert to the 4-3-1-2, or diamond formation. While this will dominate the middle of the pitch unquestionably, it also compromises the flanks for Italy quite a bit I believe, and that is why I think England will have any chance at all. Nonetheless, I believe this will be a ridiculously tight game, possibly a score draw in normal time, with either an extra time winner or Penalties.

Italy by the skin of their teeth.

Paco Rodriguez

Cassano doesnt use pace to trouble centre backs. He has other ways.

I think Italy have improved vastly. And so has England. Penalties for me.

Forza Azzuri!

Neil3030

gosplan wrote: »

They were wrong. It wasn't a b-team by any means, it was a team designed to beat Greece.

The term was used with an element of irony, don't worry.

monkey9

I can't wait for this. England to win 1-0.

G.K.

http://www.football-italia.net/20340/pirlo-england-are-predictable

Pirlo echoing Bilic there.

Paully D

Really can't call this. I've been hoping for a penalty shootout all week and I think there's a good chance we'll get it here.

Renn

craggles wrote: »

Tactically I believe Italy playing a 3-5-2 would have put them at a massive advantage in terms of midfield control and nullifying England's crossing ability to an extent by forcing them to deal with Italy's wing backs, unfortunately with Chiellini injured I don't think Prandelli feels safe playing with 3 at the back and will therefore revert to the 4-3-1-2, or diamond formation.

Croatia had guys on the wings vs Italy when they played 352 and they struggled a bit with that. That didn't happen vs Spain as they kept it far more central. So I can sorta see why he's probably going to go ahead with the 4-1-3-2 as it will offer that protection plus it showed that it can work vs a side set up like this (game vs Ireland).

G.K.

Croatia's FB's pushed on a lot though, especially Srna. England won't offer that as much.

Liam O

G.K. wrote: »

Croatia's FB's pushed on a lot though, especially Srna. England won't offer that as much.

Surely Johnson and Cole to an extent will push very forward you would have to think?

England will be very motivated and will do a good closing down job like Ireland did, they actually have a bit of guile up front too so can really take advantage of a weakened Italy backline.

kincsem

England 5-0 Italy
Rooney 2
Gerrard
Parker
Young

darkman2

kincsem wrote: »

England 5-0 Italy
Rooney 2
Gerrard
Parker
Young

...and I think the lad from the snickers ad is going to save a few penalties for England. Doesn't mean it's going to happen though. Guaranteed narrow cagey win either way.

briany

1-1 to extra time, a goal a half. Rooney will miss an opportunity to head in a sharp cross thanks to his carpety hair in the 100th minute. Ballotelli or Pirlo to break English hearts 10 minutes later.

JaMarcus Hustle

Wake up people, there is absolutely no chance in hell that Balotelli doesn't score in this game.

It's Balotelli. Against England. It's so, so, so obvious.

GLaDOS

Can see Italy nicking this, wasn't overly impressed with England form what I saw against France and Sweden (missed the Ukraine game).

Chiellini is a big miss for the Italians however. If England are to get through, it'll be due to Rooney playing a blinder imo.

Helix

i'd be surprised if england didn't get through here

NinjaK

Helix wrote: »

i'd be surprised if england didn't get through here

prepare to be surprised, come on Italy:D

Brain Stroking

I expect Prandelli to hark back to his Fiorentina days and play a lop-sided unbalanced team. I think Prandelli while at Fiorentina used to play 2 up front with Montolivio as an outside right. The theory was that an unbalanced attack would automatically unbalance the opposing team's defence thereby creating openings. And to a large extent Prandelli was successful with that. I expect Balotelli to play on the side of a conventional formation designed to cause problems with England's static defence.

Witcher

I predict England snatch it 1-0 with a tap in by Rooney or a lucky shot by Gerrard.

adox

Thought the Italian display against Spain was the most impressive of any team in the tournament so far. Since they they have been efficiant without being nearly as impressive as that night.

I'd still have them as favourites tonight. England have done well to get in to the quarters but haven't been very impressive. England's wide players, especially ones with pace could be the key for them.

Paul Tergat

Cmon England!!!!

Rafa1977

Don't think there is much beween the sides. I can't see there being more than one goal in it, or maybe even penalties. Hopefully football justice will prevail and Italy will win. Their route to the quarters has been far more impressive than Englands, who have been lucky.

Paco Rodriguez

Brain Stroking wrote: »

I expect Prandelli to hark back to his Fiorentina days and play a lop-sided unbalanced team. I think Prandelli while at Fiorentina used to play 2 up front with Montolivio as an outside right. The theory was that an unbalanced attack would automatically unbalance the opposing team's defence thereby creating openings. And to a large extent Prandelli was successful with that. I expect Balotelli to play on the side of a conventional formation designed to cause problems with England's static defence.

Reminds me what Cruyff said about the best way to defend was to bring on an extra striker to occupy the opponents more.

Fishooks12

Hope England win

darkman2

niallo27

I think a tournament with England still in it is more interesting than one there not, so I'd like to see England win this one.

MUSEIST

I can see this going all the way to penalties.

JONJO THE MISER

Kev the physic chicken from Kiev has predicted a Italy win.

Brain Stroking

I also think that if Prandelli does revert to type and attempt a formation designed to unbalance England then i think this game could have goals in it. Decided to stick my neck out and stuck a tenner on over 4.5 goals at 17/2

mewso

Dunphy thinks England have been unimpressive and won't win tonight. Also agrees with Liam that it will go to penos. Eh o.k. Eamo.

cgpg5

iirc last time England made a major semi was 1996?

cgpg5

mewso wrote: »

Dunphy thinks England have been unimpressive and won't win tonight. Also agrees with Liam that it will go to penos. Eh o.k. Eamo.

Blames lack of experience. Yet they still have Cole, Gerrard, JT and Rooney in the side. That's a lot more experience than a lot of teams have

Sgt Pepper 64

Balo starts



England: Hart, Johnson, Terry, Lescott, Cole, Milner, Gerrard, Parker, Young, Rooney, Welbeck. Subs: Green, Kelly, Walcott, Henderson, Carroll, Baines, Jones, Jagielka, Downing, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Defoe, Butland.

Italy: Buffon, Abate, Barzagli, Bonucci, Balzaretti, Pirlo, Marchisio, De Rossi, Montolivo, Balotelli, Cassano. Subs: Sirigu, Maggio, Chiellini, Ogbonna, Thiago Motta, Di Natale, Giaccherini, Borini, Giovinco, Diamanti, Nocerino, De Sanctis.

Referee: Pedro Proenca (Portugal)

df1985

see this one going to penos and england going through.

Renn

Sellini is a massive loss.

keith16

Italy to win this, I just think they will have too much for England in the middle of the park.

SantryRed

Will Italy stick to 4-1-3-2 for the game? Didn't see much of the game against Ireland, if it's straight 4-4-2 against 4-1-3-2, then England have a much better chance. Would have preferred Italy to go 3-5-2.

carbon nanotube

England to lose to Germany on penos (without mentioning the war) would be interesting.


so England to qualify... draw at full time.

keith16

SantryRed wrote: »

Will Italy stick to 4-1-3-2 for the game? Didn't see much of the game against Ireland, if it's straight 4-4-2 against 4-1-3-2, then England have a much better chance. Would have preferred Italy to go 3-5-2.

Looks as though they will line up 4-1-3-2

Handsome Bob

Balotelli hasn't impressed me so far, is there a reason why he's getting the nod ahead of Di Natale?

JaMarcus Hustle

RT @JamesHorncastle:

Alan Hansen: "Pirlo's not great without the ball" - he leads Italy's midfield with 23 balls recovered.

JONJO THE MISER

COME ON ITALY.

Moneymaker

I love that Italian anthem. Epic.

Soups123

Wud like to see England win to set up a Semi with Germany.

Think they'll get beat 2-1, biggest problem being over ran in the middle

MagicMarker

Handsome Bob wrote: »

Balotelli hasn't impressed me so far, is there a reason why he's getting the nod ahead of Di Natale?

Because he's familiar with all the English players? Particularly Lescott and Hart.

Professional Griefer

Danny to score a screamer.

monkey9

That countdown to kick off is so stupid and annoying. That better not catch on!

Will I Amnt

Terry got his boots greased again

Professional Griefer

Fuuuuck

MagicMarker

Holy crap

JaMarcus Hustle

My goodness